International Women’s Day celebration hosted by HE Vice President Mme Vo Thi Anh Xuan

Happy International Women’s Day.

For the United Nations, this year’s celebrations are focused on the theme DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.

It is also the theme of the 67th session of the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW) taking place this week in New York.

It is a timely opportunity to share the UN Secretary General’s key message at the opening session of the CSW. He said and I quote,

“Gender inequality is a question of power.”

He then called for urgent action to equalize power in three ways. 

First, increase education, income and employment for women and girls.

This means addressing rising levels of poverty and inequality.

Second, leaders must promote women’s and girls’ full participation and leadership in science and technology, from governments to board rooms and classrooms.

The United Nations’ first-ever report on technology, innovation, education and gender equality calls for gender-responsive education and skills training; algorithms that align with human rights and gender equality; and investment in bridging the digital gender divide.

The SG emphasized that, “More than ever, we need collective action by governments, civil society, the private sector, and the technology community.”

The third urgent action to equalize power -- create a safe digital environment for women and girls.

The United Nations is working with other stakeholders to advance a Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms. The goal is to reduce harm and increase accountability while defending the right to freedom of expression.

Excellencies,

Promoting women’s full contributions to science, technology and innovation is not an act of charity or a favour to women. It is a must, and it benefits everyone.

I spoke last Friday at the policy dialogue co-organized between MOLISA, National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Viet Nam and the UN in preparation for the CSW.

I was inspired by the strong consensus amongst the speakers and participants.

We all agreed that technology and innovation are critical to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, and that investments in girls and women’s education, particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) is the gamechanger.

Digital transformation opens up new frontiers that we have not even started to imagine.

Let us not replicate the barriers, cultural, social, economic, political, for women and girls to thrive in the workplace of the future.

Thank you.